Christmas Decorating Essentials Checklist

Decide whether you want to go with a fresh Christmas tree or an artificial one. If you want be a little bit extra, you can opt for a big main tree and a second tree in your kids' room, the kitchen, or another space in your home.

Choose Christmas ornaments with significance for you (such as ornaments from your favorite vacation destinations), or opt for a specific style.

Be careful with using traditional tinsel if you have pets—ribbon and other alternatives are a safer choice.

Tree skirts come in styles from traditional to modern—and metal or wooden collars are a new option.

A tree stand ensures that your fresh Christmas tree stays well-hydrated.

Find out how many lights you'll need to cover your tree—and find places to decorate with Christmas lights, such as putting strings of lights along the mantel, stair banister, or even a battery-operated set in a glass hurricane container.

Think Christmas cactus, forced amaryllis blooms, or cyclamen.

Choose evergreens, berries, sparkling glass beads, felt balls, or whatever suits your decorating style.

Think pinecones, oranges, frosted cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and whatever else says Christmas to you.

Ribbons can also be a festive addition to your tree.

Choose sturdy hooks if you really overstuff your stockings.

Holiday scents like balsam, mulled cider, or citrus will give your home a cozy scent. (And the balsam or evergreen scents can give you the feeling of a fresh tree, even if you've gone with an artificial one.)

You can go all out with holiday patterns, or opt for classic colors that suit your decorating scheme (and can maybe be brought out for other holidays—like red for Valentine's Day).

Festive salad plates and a few serving platters can put your everyday dishes into holiday mode.

Use your Christmas decoration storage box to house your usual accessories while your holiday ones are out on display.

You can opt for a fresh evergreen wreath, or a pretty artificial one. (You can even DIY a wreath, if you're feeling crafty!)

Bigger light bulbs will add a more dramatic look for your home.

Forget about winding strings through the bushes—this is a much easier option.

Opt for eight tiny reindeer, angels, or whatever suits your theme.

Make sure the cords you use are rated for outdoor use. And consider pairing them with timers or smart plugs so you can turn them off and on without running outside in the cold to do it.

Choose festive flags that match your holiday decorating theme.

Look for outdoor-friendly bows that can stand up to inclement weather.